Splinters of memories [Complete]

[lingeringscent]

Characters: Mio Amakura, Zetsu
Setting: Fairy Bedroom
Time: Day 003, post-Exploration
Summary: Mio explains her ghost hunting tools to Zetsu and prods him about his past.
Warnings: Possible cuteness and fluff.

Comments

[weeatbodies]

"I'm sure." Zetsu agreed, raising an eyebrow. "What sort did they give?" It did sound good.... auxilliary, certainly, and difficult to carry.... but probably nice to have, when she could afford to bring it with her. Sounded like it was something along the lines of a visual counterpart to the spirit radio.... Zetsu nodded at the question, a little sheepishly; he wasn't really used to talking about the full extent of his visual capacity with people. He wasn't actually sure if anyone besides his family and the Akatsuki knew about it all, really.... "It's one of the things my eyes do.... Other people can watch what I remember, too." When it came right down to it, he was almost like a camera himself, in that sense. Granted, closer to a video camera than one who took snapshots, but it could be used to that effect.

Zetsu nodded curiously, wondering what sort of film could manage the functions of the camera. He doubted Mio knew anything about how it was made though, so he didn't bother asking, simply tilting his head at her comment. "Vectors?" He'd heard the word before, but it didn't seem to make any sense in this context. So what exactly were these vectors, especially if the camera could disable them? "As far as I could tell, Blake-san was touching us with some sort of death energy; I wasn't able to tell more than that. What I made was a shadow clone--it takes a little of your chakra, your life energy, and creates a double of yourself. It can do things for you, if they aren't too difficult--the less energy you use, the weaker they are. When they dissipate, the energy returns to you, except what was used to create it. It's a basic ninjutsu technique."

[lingeringscent]

"It would show things on the film reels that couldn't otherwise be seen, much like with the camera. Part of the Cutting ritual...Chitose in the closet...the Crimon Sacrifice ritual..." Most of those things she saw at different points during her stay at All God's Village in a more clear manner. A part of her regretted that, but she knew that there she had no choice, not then or now. Take the painful feelings, the memories and work them to your advantage or get killed...Those were her options.

She listened to his explanation with interest, looking down as he mentioned other people being able to watch what he remembered, her face slightly flushed. She'd seen his memories, too...but she doubted it was the same. She felt so guilty about that, it was so embarrassing, too...really, how was she going to explain that to him? She still didn't know and the more she thought about it the more her blush grew. It was just so invasive...she didn't want to let him know, though, I mean...how would he feel about it?

Still, she needed to explain him that part of her camera, too. "S-sometimes I see other people's memories, too...when I take a photograph with that camera. Exorcising them forms a link with them..." She was wringing her hands now, face flushed, "And um...it increases the ability to emphasize with them, as well as sometimes giving a glimpse into a part of their memory." It did that with people, too, apparently. She decided against saying that, though.

"...ah!" She realized her mistake too late. Looking back at Zetsu now, her look looked slightly more guilty. Still...Zetsu wasn't going to kill her over it, would he? No, of course not, he probably knew better than anyone what it was like to be discriminate against. "My room mate doesn't want most people to know because where she comes from...people would kill her for it, but think of them as being multiple pairs of spectral arms. Unless you have a strong sixth sense you can't see them...she can use them to splice things." She nodded as he mentioned Anita's energy, frowning. She wasn't sure why the camera reacted to it, but there was no complaining. There was an obvious interest, and a hint of embarrassment as he explained the cloning. It was so...that she'd done that... "Oh, really? That's interesting...I wonder why the camera reacted to that, too..."

Of course, the camera was adaptive, too, now wasn't it? So maybe it wasn't so strange...

[weeatbodies]

He nodded in understanding at that; again, it sounded interesting and enlightening, and certainly helpful.... but still, Zetsu had no doubt that Mio could have done without it, if she had needed to. "I see." He raised an eyebrow at how Mio flushed, a hint of concern and confusion obvious in his expression; what was wrong? Was she embarrassed, or flustered, or upset, or....? He wasn't even sure why, considering up until this point, she hadn't really seemed to consider being able to empathize strongly with ghosts a bad thing.... In fact, it had seemed quite useful. Then again, depending on the ghost, considering what he had heard..... well, it sounded like such empathy could become extremely disturbing, as well. "It can't be easy...." He wasn't sure how else to sympathize, save the slightly vicarious living he sometimes did, experiencing someone's--even Naruto's--joys and sorrows with them as he watched their life from afar, without interfering directly.

Zetsu nodded attentively, expression sympathetic, though there was an undercurrent of anger simmering beneath it. Arms. That was it? So she had a few extra arms made of spiritual energy. What was there that was so horrible people wanted to kill her for them? Were they afraid of them only because they couldn't see them? "I'm sorry to hear that.... I won't mention it to anyone." For her sake, and for Mio's. Nobody had to know about that if they would just be angry.... The roommate didn't even have to know that Mio had slipped up, if they ever met each other. He'd just ignore that little bit of information, unless and until it became apparent during the meeting.

He only shrugged a little, noting her interest. "Perhaps it reacted because chakra is a spiritual energy, in a sense? I'm not sure. I could teach you a little about it, if you want.... Learning to use your chakra is hard and it takes a long time, but it does leave you much more prepared when it comes to defending yourself, against things like the monsters that keep showing up."

[lingeringscent]

Mio felt the embarrassment (and the guilt) grow a little as she noticed the guilt on Zetsu's face. It really wasn't right to keep what she'd done from him, but she wasn't sure he'd even want to associate himself with her once he realized it. She might not have wanted to associate with herself if she'd done that and Zetsu, for as kind as he was, probably would appreciate it even less given the nature of what'd happened. She kept fidgeting, grateful that at least he hadn't caught on...or if he had, he was really good at hiding it. She somehow doubted anyone would want to hide that, however. "It...has it's downsides, both during and after," she explained, "When that happens...it's like actually living it. Every action, ever feeling..."

She thought carefully before she made her next statement, "Although even if I don't...we're linked. I can sense their feelings, how much pain their in so easily. I can drown it out when they're hostile, but it's more difficult when they're not." The embarrassment continued until she reacted the point where she started talking about the hostility of ghosts, because in spite of the fact that she was talking about ghosts, she was thinking back to what she'd seen of him. Of his memories, his pains...of how she was going to explain that to him...she welcomed the change of subject, however.

"Thank you..." A small smile crossed her face now, that he wouldn't mention it made her feel a little better. She didn't think anyone currently in the house would care, but there was always that small chance. Besides, she didn't want to upset Nana, the pink haired girl was so sweet...she nodded as he made the suggestion, although the offer caught her off guard. "That might be it..." She stopped again, seeming to seriously consider the offer. Even having little idea what it entailed, learning anything that serious would be a long and tedious task - one that she wasn't sure she could devote herself to, given that she still hadn't even figured out her camera entirely.

Although she'd learned how to use the camera quickly, it had been painful and she'd had no choice. She gave him a slightly nervous smile, "I'd rather not commit to anything on a whim." There was a pause before she seemed to realize she'd gotten sidetracked from her explanation, letting her index finger hover over the viewfinder instead of tapping it, "By the way, if you've never used a camera before...this camera'll probably end up being different than any others you see. Why not take a look through the viewfinder?"

Too bad it was impossible to show him what it was like with a hostile ghost. Now that would be an interesting first experience...but of course, that was far too dangerous to even consider...

[weeatbodies]

".....I'm sorry." Zetsu sighed, shaking his head. What must it be like, to feel so connected to beings that, by definition, had suffered so much? How must it feel to die with them and feel their pain, their fear, their rage and hate? He was surprised it hadn't broken her, or made her bitter.... It occurred to him now just how strong Mio was, and how courageous--nobody else would know that, would they? Nobody else would ever realize what she'd gone through ot the sort of respect that she deserved.... It was almost shameful, really. A lesser person couldn't handle something of that magnitude weighing on their soul. Didn't she deserve some credit for her efforts?

Zetsu smiled back, reassuringly; he didn't want it to seem as though she was being pressured. After all, who said she had to accept? He just wanted to help keep her safe.... "I can understand that. And there's no need to decide one way or the other anytime soon. Give it some thought if you want, maybe talk to Katsuya if you're curious about it; I've started working with him a little on it."

"I imagine it will be." Zetsu looked down at the equipment he held, wondering just how different modern cameras must look. With Mio's suggestion, he carefully raised it to eye-level, peering through the viewfinder. "Am I supposed to be looking for anything in particular?"

[lingeringscent]

"We all have to deal with unpleasant things sometimes, right...?" Mio offered him a bit of a sad smile. Others had gone through worse. Zetsu probably had, so surely she shouldn't complain. Besides, it was for Mayu...and now for Zetsu and Nana...she could handle that. She tried to scoot a little closer, but quickly realized she was already all but on top of him. Of course, he had gone through worse...she knew that, because she'd seen it, she'd felt it. She couldn't tell him that, though.

"A-alright...thank you..." She would think about it carefully before she made a decision and speak to Jonouchi about it as well. Zetsu seemed to be fine with waiting on an answer, which was comforting. The thought was pushed away for now, however, until later when she could give it more serious consideration.

Looking through the viewfinder the most eye-catching thing would undoubtedly be the large, blue-gray orb in the lower left corner with the kanji for "Zero" engraved into it, glowing brightly. Above it was a small, rounded bar of a cerulean color and next to it four smaller orbs of the same color, also glowing with a lighter blue seeming to swirl through them. Below this, in the center, the words "Shadow Obscure" could be made out. There were smaller words behind it, but age had worn them away and they were unreadable. The top might have been more interesting if there were a ghost, but as it was now the word "ENEMY" in the top-left along with the bar were a dingy, almost black gray, blending in with the camera's color. The filament in the center, and the small dot-like lense below it were a lighter shade of gray, but also dead. To the right of these, in yellow capital letters was "FILM TYPE-07", with several small yellow "dots" lined up under it.

"There's no ghosts to show you the more interesting features, so for the moment I can't do much more than describe it, but... do you see those orbs in the corner, there?" She hoped the statement for the moment wouldn't be taken wrong - she wasn't asinine enough to try and shove him at ghosts, but she would see if Nana might help them in this little task. Deciding not to risk it, she clarified, "...If I talk to my roommate, she may be willing to assist with that."

[weeatbodies]

"Right. It builds character, as they say." Zetsu chuckled. How many times did parents tell unwilling children that line? He supposed it was almost universally resented, even if as life rolled on, it was proven time and time again to be not only useful, but true. He hardly minded the scooting; she could have sat on top of him, if it would have made her more comfortable. But that wasn't something to worry about now--now, he would just have to figure out this camera.

....Which looked like it might take a little while; the screen it presented was surprisingly complex. "I do." He confirmed, gaze moving to the aforementioned orbs. The 'for the moment' was considered, examined, and taken to mean that she wanted him to be prepared for if she was unable to do anything about the ghosts. Her addition was only puzzling for a moment though, until he remembered the vectors she had mentioned. If those spectral arms could set off the camera, then there was obviously no need to wait for some fiasco at night to learn about the other features' use. "That would be nice of her. Though I suppose if she doesn't want to expose herself like that in front of a stranger, then I could just use a clone or two." He could understand how it might feel too personal or violating for her.... Still, he was curious to meet Mio's roommate, practice or not. She did seem fond of her, after all.

[lingeringscent]

"The smaller ones are Spirit Power points," Mio explained after a few moments of trying to recall the technical term. "While exorcising a hostile ghost, you build them up to charge up the lens...once that's done, the larger one lights up. The one that's charged now is the Zero lens, it packs a good amount of extra damage. It's nice in a pinch, it cannot be used if there's no hostile ghost. The button to the right is the regular shutter button, while the one to the left controls the lens."

She tapped the respective buttons as she mentioned then, very gently so as not to set them off. Unfortunately, she'd lost the vast majority of her lenses when she'd dropped her bag at All God's Village, which was disappointing because the camera had come with some nice ones. In fact, the Zero and Slow lens were the only ones she still had on her and even then that was only because she'd quickly switched it out of battle beforehand and hadn't had time to tuck it back into her bag before forgetting about it. "I used to have a few others, but now I just have this one and the slow lens."

Thinking trying to explain that one would lead to offending him at best, she decided to move on, "Although the effect of that one's only temporary." She smiled as she thought on Nana, thinking that she really was a sweet girl, before her eyes moved down to her lap as he mentioned the clones again. She couldn't quite get over the other night, although she tried not to let it get in the way of her explanation, "She's a nice girl...I'm sure if I explain the circumstances she'll be willing. She was interested in meeting you, anyhow."

[weeatbodies]

"Right." Zetsu listened attentively, pulling his eyes away from the viewfinder to look at the buttons she indicated. "That's a shame..." Zetsu could only sympathize--after all, he knew how it felt to be deprived of weapons and means of protection you rightfully should have. Being unable to phase out of the house itself or even look beyond its walls was staggering, and had shaken his confidence a great deal when he'd found out about it. "What does the Slow Lens do?"

Zetsu wondered mildly why Mio was looking down--was she worried about her roommate saying yes? Had he offended her somehow?--, but decided not to trouble himself too much about it; after all, he trusted her. If something was bothering her, especially if he could do something about it, she'd talk to him about it. Right? "That's good. I'm sure the meeting will be an enjoyable one." He trusted Mio's tastes too, after all.

[lingeringscent]

It really was disappointing. There had been some nice ones. Freezing ghosts in place, taking shots in rapid succession, having the camera track them automatically...all things that would have been nice here. She couldn't help but let out a bit of a sigh as she thought on that. "I'm glad I have the two I do, though. The Slow lens...slows down the ghosts' movements for a little while. It's useful for especially quick ghosts."

It was just too bad that by time she'd gotten it she was already dazed from getting grabbed so many times...No sense in dwelling on that, though. She'd learned how to use it just fine. She would have to make a note to show him how to switch the lenses as well, but later. Shifting a little, she tried to think on what to show him next, "Yeah...I'm sure she'll like you." There was a small pause before she let her finger hover above the left button, with it's "layered" look, "Another thing about this button..." She let her index finger and thumb grip the bottommost "layer" and twisted it a little to the left, then the right, "It serves as a zoom function. You can try if it you want." She rarely used it herself, but was certain it could come in handy. Besides, could always reset it later.

[weeatbodies]

"That must be useful." Interesting.... He wondered what other lenses she'd had before, but decided not to ask; it had no real relevance to them right now, and he was supposed to be learning how to help her, not satisfying his own curiosity. Zetsu nodded, and moved to look through the lens again, experimentally zooming the lens in and out on one of the fairies that adorned the wall. He frowned a moment later, though the expression was fleeting. Had that fairy just changed expressions? He could have sworn that it wasn't smiling quite the same way as it had been just a minute ago.... There really wasn't any way to prove it, though. And it could have just been his imagination....

[lingeringscent]

Mio might have guessed what he was looking at, but it was equally probable that she'd simply thought of it because she herself had started staring at the fairies again. She didn't like them. "Aren't they creepy? They move, too," she remarked casually, "I thought I was just losing it at first, but then..."

But then throughout the night she'd felt unsettled by their presence, by the way she'd be quietly working and look up and something would be different. Eventually she grew paranoid and started taking photographs, something that revealed no threat, but taking a photograph of the same area hours later procured different results...something was nudging at her now, telling her that they would come out of the walls one night. She didn't express that rather grim thought, however.

It was about time to touch upon smaller, more important details, "You can try taking a photograph if you want, I don't think I can run out of this particular kind of film." She once again had to stop to think before continuing, explaining things had never been her strong point, "But there's a loading time, you can try pressing the shutter button during this time but it you'll just hear a clicking noise...and um, you can actually see how close it is to being 'loaded' by those little dots below the film type."

[weeatbodies]

"Really?" Zetsu grimaced at that thought; it was rather unnerving to think of Mio sleeping in a room filled with tiny people, decorative or not, who could move and change their expressions, who could possibly do things.... To her, to the room, to the house itself.... It was unsettling, and he didn't like the thought that he might have to protect her from her own room someday. Small though they were, he knew better than to underestimate things based on size. Who knew what sort of things they might be able to do, if they ever proved malevolent?

Zetsu nodded, impressed. "I hadn't thought this would come with so many features.... It must have been hard to figure out how to use it." Especially without such a competent teacher as Mio was proving. Zetsu lifted the camera again, fiddling to get the zoom into a proper state before turning. A moment of aiming, and Zetsu pressed the shutter button to snap a picture of Mio. It didn't sound like it would hurt anything, of course.... and since she was the one behind the camera most of the time, she doubted there was a picture of her laying around. So why not? Even if she didn't want it, he could always keep it.

[lingeringscent]

Mio noticed the change in expression, folding her hands on her lap and ringing them in lieu of her camera. "Yeah...I'm just kind of hoping they stay in the walls." She was more worried about Nana than herself, she was both paranoid enough and fidgety enough to where she wouldn't be in her room when night fell. There was the small matter of her radio being damaged, but there was little to be done about that. "...I'm trying to be wary of them."

She winced a little, rubbing her shoulder as she thought back to how she'd learned how to use it. It was a very painful process. "It was...I got grabbed a lot before I did," she admitted, glancing off to the side as she did so. Of course, she was ready for almost now, but back then...she was surprised she'd made it. The medicine laying around the area really did work wonders. The exorcist was a little startled as he pointed at the camera at her, but she gave a small smile before he pressed the shutter button.

"You're supposed to ask before you take photos of people," She teased, momentarily pausing from her explanation to let him watch the film load. She wasn't used to having her photo taken too often, even before falling in here. Of course, Edward had the other day, but...it was still a little embarrassing.

[weeatbodies]

"I don't blame you. You should probably be a little wary in the bedroom next door, too." Zetsu certainly sympathized. After all, his first room had been.... well, similar, in some ways. The eyes that appeared sometimes.... They had been harmless so far as he knew. But they weren't always there, and they definitely felt like they were watching, when they did show up.

He didn't want to have to worry about her too much.... She was an adult, after all, and he knew she could take care of herself.... But still, it was unsettling, and he didn't like the way she winced at the memory of being grabbed. He knew Koizumi had been burnt somehow when the mother ghost had grabbed him, and the thought that Mio had been so hurt before.... It just made him even more intent on protecting her when he could. "I'm sorry to hear that...."

"Are you?" Zetsu smiled sheepishly at the teasing, watching the dots in the viewfinder load. "I'm sorry. I'll ask next time, then." Presuming there was a next time. It made sense anyhow, though he hadn't stopped to consider asking permission; after all, he'd never used one of these things before, and asking permission to watch someone would defeat the whole purpose of spying.... He picked up the photo that had dropped into his lap, considering it--not bad, for a first try--for a moment before offering it to Mio. It was her film, after all....

[lingeringscent]

"Next door...were you staying there before?" Mio gave him a curious look, wondering if he'd take notice of the stolen green chair shoved into the corner. She hadn't noticed anything during her brief visit, but at the time she'd been working on getting in and out as quickly as possible for more than one reason. Were spooky things occurring there, too?

She shook her head at his apology, "It certainly did encourage fast learning." She supposed she was lucky that she was a fast learner, given that. At least it'd prepared her some for this though, right? She wondered how she would have gotten along if she'd come here before All God's Village, or even before she'd gotten experience under her belt...probably not too well.

"You are," she said, offering him another smile and gently poking his arm, "I don't mind, but...most people would be concerned." She leaned over to look at the photograph, feeling shy about having had her photo taken, but thinking that he'd done well. For the moment she didn't take it, "If...you want you can keep it." Her cheeks tinted and she wondered if it was considered bad etiquette to make an offer like that, especially considering Zetsu had just mentioned never having to use a camera. Still, it was his handiwork and she tended to keep the photographs she took. Getting a little more on track, she poked the camera now, "You noticed the loading, right? When there's a hostile ghost it's important to get a zero shot or fatal frame in part because of that. You bypass the loading time."